Transmission

[bigfat66]

i have a 2006 2500hd with duramax and allison transmission the manual calls for one part number on transmission fluid and the dipstick calls for a different part number which one would it take

[MarkD]

See www.allisontransmission.com for a list of Allison Approved TES 295 fluids

 

 

 

TranSynd® is a TES 295 approved fluid

[TorkFaze]

IIRC, your trans came factory filled with Dexron III fluid. With the introduction of the Hydramatic 6-speed auto trans in the gas motor trucks in 2007, most if not all truck transmissions including the Allison in GM HD trucks converted to the new Dexron VI fluid. Dexron VI is backwards compatible....if your vehicle called for Dexron III, you can use Dexron VI.

 

So again if my memory is correct, you really have the choice of 3 different 'flavors' for your 2006 allison-equipped truck.....Dexron III, Dexron VI, or a TES295 fluid.

[98silvz71]

IIRC, your trans came factory filled with Dexron III fluid. With the introduction of the Hydramatic 6-speed auto trans in the gas motor trucks in 2007, most if not all truck transmissions including the Allison in GM HD trucks converted to the new Dexron VI fluid. Dexron VI is backwards compatible....if your vehicle called for Dexron III, you can use Dexron VI.

 

So again if my memory is correct, you really have the choice of 3 different 'flavors' for your 2006 allison-equipped truck.....Dexron III, Dexron VI, or a TES295 fluid.

 

 

WRONG, DO NOT put Dexron VI in your Allison that is filled with Dexron III. If you go to Allison's website they even say not to. If you want an upgrade then use the Castrol TranSynd fluid. Don't worry about trying to find anything that is better, you won't find anything much better. Dexron III or TranSynd will be what you want.

[bigfat66]

THANKS FOR THE INFO

[TorkFaze]

IIRC, your trans came factory filled with Dexron III fluid. With the introduction of the Hydramatic 6-speed auto trans in the gas motor trucks in 2007, most if not all truck transmissions including the Allison in GM HD trucks converted to the new Dexron VI fluid. Dexron VI is backwards compatible....if your vehicle called for Dexron III, you can use Dexron VI.

 

So again if my memory is correct, you really have the choice of 3 different 'flavors' for your 2006 allison-equipped truck.....Dexron III, Dexron VI, or a TES295 fluid.

 

 

WRONG, DO NOT put Dexron VI in your Allison that is filled with Dexron III. If you go to Allison's website they even say not to. If you want an upgrade then use the Castrol TranSynd fluid. Don't worry about trying to find anything that is better, you won't find anything much better. Dexron III or TranSynd will be what you want.

 

 

I don't want to start an arguement here....just want to get the right info to the OP.

 

I'm not sure where in the Allison site it says not to use Dexron VI in the LCT1000 trans that's used in the GMT800/900 trucks. Since GM sold most of Allison, maybe the stuff you cite is for their bigger commercial units?

 

I just looked at a few GM service bulletins pertaining to the LCT1000 and it specifically says Dexron VI SHOULD be used in place of Dexron III. One bulletin (#1950602) related to converter drain-down etc on 2001-2003 units was modified in 2007 specifically for Dexron VI related things. It says "This bulletin is being revised to change the automatic transmission fluid to use from DEXRON®-III to DEXRON®-VI... "

If GM thingks Dexron VI is OK to use in a 2001-2003 Allison, it should also be fine for a 2006

[98silvz71]

IIRC, your trans came factory filled with Dexron III fluid. With the introduction of the Hydramatic 6-speed auto trans in the gas motor trucks in 2007, most if not all truck transmissions including the Allison in GM HD trucks converted to the new Dexron VI fluid. Dexron VI is backwards compatible....if your vehicle called for Dexron III, you can use Dexron VI.

 

So again if my memory is correct, you really have the choice of 3 different 'flavors' for your 2006 allison-equipped truck.....Dexron III, Dexron VI, or a TES295 fluid.

 

 

WRONG, DO NOT put Dexron VI in your Allison that is filled with Dexron III. If you go to Allison's website they even say not to. If you want an upgrade then use the Castrol TranSynd fluid. Don't worry about trying to find anything that is better, you won't find anything much better. Dexron III or TranSynd will be what you want.

 

 

I don't want to start an arguement here....just want to get the right info to the OP.

 

I'm not sure where in the Allison site it says not to use Dexron VI in the LCT1000 trans that's used in the GMT800/900 trucks. Since GM sold most of Allison, maybe the stuff you cite is for their bigger commercial units?

 

I just looked at a few GM service bulletins pertaining to the LCT1000 and it specifically says Dexron VI SHOULD be used in place of Dexron III. One bulletin (#1950602) related to converter drain-down etc on 2001-2003 units was modified in 2007 specifically for Dexron VI related things. It says "This bulletin is being revised to change the automatic transmission fluid to use from DEXRON®-III to DEXRON®-VI... "

If GM thingks Dexron VI is OK to use in a 2001-2003 Allison, it should also be fine for a 2006

 

 

 

Allison's actual statement were for the 01-07 800-Series GM Trucks with Allisons. They were not designed for the Dexron VI fluid and the bulletin stated to not use it unless you have a 2007.5 NBS that came from the factory with Dexron VI. That's what it said. Of course I cannot find it at the moment but I will keep looking for it. Even if you look all around Allison they still say that Dexron VI or TES389 approved fluids are allowed in the new 2007.5 Allisons. Older models like the 2007 Classic and earlier are to use TES295 or Dexron III fluid.

[chrisb1]

See this Allision site. http://www.allisontransmission.net/servlet...et=SA5429EN.pdf

In Oregon the dealers are using Dex 3, Dex 6 and none using Castrol Transyd.

The Allison site says non-Transyd at 70K mile fluid change interval, and with Transyd 150K. Allison recomends Mobile Delvac Synthetic and Transyd both TES 295 certified.

 

Castrol makes Transyd for Allision only.

[TorkFaze]

I knew better than to get involved in an oil-related topic!!

 

I don't work on the Allison, but I know folks at GM that do. I've had this conversation with them as I might just own an older (2003) Allison-equiped GMT800 that might be running Dexron VI as of the last oil/filter change based on my discussions with them. Anyway I'd guess the GM info I cited is more recent than what is on the Allison site as far as using Dexron VI in older units.

 

GM/Allison have done work to show that Dexron VI can replace Dexron III in GM transmissions as well as the Allison 1000-series that is in the GMT800 and GMT900. GM has revised all bulletins/service info that used to say to use Dexron III to make them say Dexron VI and that is what I was using as the basis for my recommendation.

 

OK, all that said, if it were me and if I was doing a full fluid change, I'd compare $ on the fluid and the recommended change intervals for the fluid types. Transynd has a much longer change interval than Dexron III for sure, and judging by the Allison site, it looks like they lump Dexron VI into the same catagory as Dexron III in terms of change intervals as it was not a TES295 fluid at the time. (and it may still not be).

 

Dexron VI is $6-7/qt at local auto stores in this area. If Transynd is anywhere close to that price and available in quarts, I'd use Transynd for a full change and take advantage of the longer change intervals. I didn't do this because I could only find Transynd in a 5-gal bucket (at about $130 IIRC) and that was more than double the amount of fluid I needed and having half a bucket of fluid worth $65) sitting around for 5 years until I got to the next change seemed silly. I also found Dexron VI on sale for $5 at the time.

 

However, if the OP was just talking about topping off the trans with a small quantity of fluid after a spin-on filter change or similar, I'd use Dexron VI, knowing that it is OK to mix with Dexron III (Likely that's what's in the truck now), or if the truck was new enough to be built with Dexron VI, then you're just adding the same fluid type back in.

[spackelman]

A few months ago I had the dealer (where I bought my truck new) change out my a/t fluid. 2002 alison.

 

They replaced the fluid with "Wolf's Head Super Universal Synthetic ATF".

 

Any thoughts on this - I felt that I got a cheap replacement. This is my second fluid change at 135,000 mi.

[Rat4go]

My OPINION as a backyard mechanic....Synthetic oil = good. "Super Universal" = not so much. Dunno anything about that specific oil, but I am immediatly suspicious of ATF that is Dex/Merc combo oil. The companies have different specs for the additive packages for a reason and they set up the trans for an oil with a specific set of properties. It just seems unlikely that an oil company can 'blend' an oil/additive package that meets both sets of specs at the same time. If this were possible, why would we need different specs in the first place? OEM's could just spec a 'standard' trans fluid like they do with engine oil.

[jake111]

Here's everything I *think* I know about this . . .

 

TES-295, an Allison spec, per Allison is the best you can use. People claim better shifting and cooler running. Examples: Transynd, Mobil Delvac ATF. Generally harder to find and on the expensive side.

 

TES-389, an Allison spec, as an equivalent for Dex-III because nobody can (legally) put Dex-III on the labels now, because Dex-III was strictly licensed (and retired) by GM. Very few ATF's say TES-389 but usually say something like "for older GM transmissions", or "for GM before 2006". Example: Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic ATF (note that this is different from Mobil Delvac ATF).

 

Dex-VI, GM's latest spec. GM says that it is completely compatible and is the replacement for Dex-III. At first, they said for all applications, but backed away from that for some transfer cases, but that's another story (and oil discussion).

 

GM says that Dex-VI can be used in ALL Allisons.

 

Allison says Dex-VI can be used for

S/N 6310670488 and up (Indianapolis built transmissions) and

S/N 6320784373 and up (Baltimore built transmissions used in GM pickups).

 

Allison goes on to say (you'll have to search the Allison web site) that various seals in the older transmissions will probably start leaking after an indeterminate amount of time if Dex-VI is used.

 

You may choose to believe GM or Allison. I've not heard of any leaking in older Allisons that have been blamed on Dex-VI . . . yet. Personally, I use Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic ATF.

[Mortgage Paul]

Here's everything I *think* I know about this . . .

 

TES-295, an Allison spec, per Allison is the best you can use. People claim better shifting and cooler running. Examples: Transynd, Mobil Delvac ATF. Generally harder to find and on the expensive side.

 

TES-389, an Allison spec, as an equivalent for Dex-III because nobody can (legally) put Dex-III on the labels now, because Dex-III was strictly licensed (and retired) by GM. Very few ATF's say TES-389 but usually say something like "for older GM transmissions", or "for GM before 2006". Example: Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic ATF (note that this is different from Mobil Delvac ATF).

 

Dex-VI, GM's latest spec. GM says that it is completely compatible and is the replacement for Dex-III. At first, they said for all applications, but backed away from that for some transfer cases, but that's another story (and oil discussion).

 

GM says that Dex-VI can be used in ALL Allisons.

 

Allison says Dex-VI can be used for

S/N 6310670488 and up (Indianapolis built transmissions) and

S/N 6320784373 and up (Baltimore built transmissions used in GM pickups).

 

Allison goes on to say (you'll have to search the Allison web site) that various seals in the older transmissions will probably start leaking after an indeterminate amount of time if Dex-VI is used.

 

You may choose to believe GM or Allison. I've not heard of any leaking in older Allisons that have been blamed on Dex-VI . . . yet. Personally, I use Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic ATF.

 

Me Too and is TES 295 Certified.

 

Dex 6 is NOT supposed to be used in earlier Allys. Is the seals leaking a real deal? Who knows?

Dex 6 is 7 bucks a quart. A gallon of MobilDelvac SYnth ATF allison approved is 4 bucks more.

 

Use that and run it in the T-Case too and you are as good as you can get. Trans Synd was 45 a gallon and no one carries it around me anymore.

[chrisb1]

In Oregon, Chevron Full Synthetic Dex 6 is $4.79 at the Fred Meyer's chain. The Dex 6 GM standard was to achieve TES-295 specs without haveing to pay

Allision for a license. I spoke to a Chevron Tech Specialist and he confimed Cheveon Dex 6 is full synthetic just like the Valvoline Dex 6.

 

Transyd is over twice that price in Oregon. Mobil Delvac is also over twice that price.